WTI Crude--
Brent Crude--
Natural Gas--
ND Rig Count--
WTI Crude--
Brent Crude--
Natural Gas--
ND Rig Count--
BAKKEN WIRE
Bakken Rig Count Holds at 30; Phoenix Rig Released in Divide County - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

Bakken Rig Count Holds at 30; Phoenix Rig Released in Divide County

The North Dakota drilling fleet saw a net decline of one rig, continuing a steady downtrend from levels seen earlier this month.

Bakken Wire Staff·🌅Afternoon Wire·

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota held at 30 on Thursday, September 24, despite the release of one rig from a well site in Divide County, according to live rig data tracked by Bakken Wire.

Phoenix Operating LLC released the T&S DRILLING 2 rig from location 160-97-19. There were no new rigs added or rigs moved to new locations, resulting in a net decline of one active rig from the previous day's total.

The current count of 30 rigs represents a decline in overall drilling activity over recent weeks. The rig count is down by three from the total of 33 active rigs reported one week ago on September 17. Compared to one month ago on August 25, when 36 rigs were active, the current fleet is down by six rigs.

The steady reduction in the active rig fleet over the past month suggests a cautious approach by operators amid fluctuating commodity prices and ongoing capital discipline. The Bakken formation, North Dakota's primary oil-producing region, remains a core area for many independent operators, but activity levels are sensitive to operational budgets and long-term development plans.

A rig count in the low 30s is consistent with the moderated pace of drilling that has characterized much of 2026, as companies focus on generating free cash flow and returning capital to shareholders rather than pursuing aggressive production growth. The release of a rig in Divide County, a historically active northwestern county in the Williston Basin, indicates routine operational adjustments as individual wells are completed.

The rig count is a leading indicator of future oil production, and a sustained level near 30 rigs would be expected to maintain Bakken output at a relatively flat trajectory in the coming months. State production data, which lags by several months, will eventually reflect the current drilling pace.

Industry analysts monitor the rig count closely for signs of expansion or contraction in the oil field service sector. The current trend suggests stable but restrained demand for drilling contractors and related services across the state.

Source

Bakken Wire Live Rig Data

rig countdrillingnorth dakotabakkenwilliston basinphoenix operating llcdivide countyactivity report

Share this article

PostShareShareEmail

Related Articles

North Dakota active rigs at 37, unchanged from previous day - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota active rigs at 37, unchanged from previous day

North Dakota's active oil and gas rig count stood at 37 on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, according to Bakken Wire live rig data. The count was unchanged from the previous day, with no new rigs reported and no rigs removed. There were also no rigs that moved location during the day, leaving the state's active fleet at the same number of working rigs as the prior day. The absence of movement means the count reflects the same set of active rigs as the previous day, though the live data did not identify individual rigs or operators. The flat daily reading comes after a modest weekly increase. One week ago, on Nov. 1, North Dakota had 36 active rigs, according to historical rig data. The count has therefore risen by one rig over the past seven days. Over a longer stretch, the Bakken rig count has shown a slightly broader upward...

🌅Afternoon Wire·Nov 8
Bakken Rig Count Holds at 37, Up 3 From October Baseline - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

Bakken Rig Count Holds at 37, Up 3 From October Baseline

North Dakota's active drilling rig count remained unchanged at 37 for Sunday, November 8, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The count showed no daily movement, with zero new rigs added, zero removed, and none relocating. The current fleet represents a gain of one rig compared to one week ago, when 36 rigs were active on November 1. The stability follows a period of growth, as the state's rig count is up by three from the level of 34 seen one month ago on October 9. The steady activity in the Williston Basin contrasts with high-stakes political deliberations over a major offshore project in another mature basin. According to a November 6 report from Rigzone, UK cabinet ministers are lobbying Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh to approve drilling at the Rosebank oil and gas field in the North Sea. While the Bakken is a prolific...

☀️Morning Wire·Nov 8
North Dakota Rig Count Rises to 37, Adding 2 New Drilling Rigs - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Rises to 37, Adding 2 New Drilling Rigs

North Dakota's active drilling rig count increased to 37 on Saturday, November 7, 2026, with the addition of two new rigs and no reported removals or moves, according to live rig data. Two operators deployed new rigs. Marlo Operating Company, LLC, moved the ND ENERGY 20 rig to a location in Bowman County (129-103-19). Formentera Operations, LLC, spud a new well using the NABORS B23 rig in Burke County (162-94-23). Both new operations are in the state's southwestern counties, which contain portions of the Bakken formation. The day's activity brings the statewide count up by two rigs from the previous day. The current fleet of 37 rigs represents an increase of one rig compared to one week ago, when 36 rigs were active on October 31, 2026. The rig count has gained three units over the past month, rising from 34 active rigs on October 8, 2026. The steady, incremental...

🌅Afternoon Wire·Nov 7